ISLAMABAD, June 6: The Federal Minister for Law and Justice, Human Rights and Parliamentary Affairs Dr Khalid Ranjha said the proposed new Law of Defamation has been put up for deliberations and seeking suggestions from the apex bodies of law and press.

The draft has not been finalized yet and it will be enforced only after thorough consultation and debate.

He said Pakistan Bar Council, Punjab Bar Council and District Bar Associations have been asked to furnish their proposals before June 15.

Press governing bodies CPNE and APNS will also be consulted at the later stage and their valuable proposals and suggestions will be incorporated in the final draft, he added.

“The press should not be apprehensive of the proposed law as the spirit of this law is neither press nor media men specific”, the minister affirmed.

“The government believes in the freedom of expression and speech and it would observe its pledge to entrust this right to all and sundry”, he maintained.

He said the press is a fourth pillar of the state and it should enjoy its status. The government has no desire whatsoever to curb the press freedom.

Instead of harassing the media men the proposed law would put some checks on the unethical media practices and make an effort to do away with an environment of yellow journalism in Pakistan, he said.

Mr Ranjha said there is nothing new in the proposed law, as it already exists in the shape of Torts. But this law is enshrined to ensure freedom of speech and it to regularize the arbitration. The purpose is to provide genuine freedom of expression, and to uphold the dignity and privacy of the people that has been laid down in the constitution.

The introduction of the new defamation law while taking the elite bodies into confidence is to harmonize the working relationship between the press and the government.

He said it is an open ended paper and will be finalized after thorough deliberation.